Garment

ABSTRACT

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a garment for covering an upper body which, when worn by a woman, makes a body line look masculine. A garment ( 100 ) according to the present invention comprises a front panel ( 101 ) and a back panel ( 103 ) and covers an upper body. A first accommodating portion ( 11 ) is provided in at least one of left and right parts of the front panel ( 101 ), wherein the first accommodating portion ( 11 ) is configured to accommodate a first protruding member ( 11   a ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to garments, particularly to garments for covering the upper body of women (e.g., women with gender dysphoria (FTM)).

BACKGROUND ART

Women's undergarments such as bras, girdles, and body suits for making the body line appear feminine and beautiful have been available.

In recent years, body shape correction means worn by men to make the body appear masculine have also been developed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses means for accentuate the abdominal muscles through clothing as such body shape correction means.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [PTL 1] Japanese Registered Utility Model Publication No. 3202147

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Meanwhile, use of women's undergarments can be psychologically stressful for women with gender dysphoria. For this reason, such women tend to avoid psychological stress by wearing men's undergarment or body shape correction means to make the body appear masculine.

However, the body shape correction means described in Patent Literature 1 accentuate the abdominal muscles like men at the abdominal section, but could not make other parts or the entire body to appear masculine.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a garment, which can suppress the formation of a body line that is characteristic to women to make the wearer appear masculine when a garment for covering the upper body is worn by women.

Solution to Problem

The present invention provides the following items.

(Item 1)

A garment for covering an upper body comprising:

a front body piece; and

a back body piece;

wherein a first accommodation section is provided to at least one of left and right shoulder sections of the front body piece, and

wherein the first accommodation section is configured to accommodate a first protrusion member.

(Item 2)

A garment for covering an upper body comprising:

a front body piece;

a back body piece; and

a side section between the front body piece and the back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side;

wherein the side section has a second accommodation section, and

wherein the second accommodation section is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member.

(Item 3)

The garment of item 1, further comprising a side section between the front body piece and the back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side;

wherein the side section has a second accommodation section, and

wherein the second accommodation section is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member.

(Item 4)

The garment of any one of items 1 to 3, wherein

at least one third accommodation section is provided below a chest section of the front body piece, and

the third accommodation section is configured to accommodate a third protrusion member.

(Item 5)

The garment of any one of items 1 to 4, wherein

the front body piece comprises an outer material and an inner material, and

the inner material comprises a stretchable fabric.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention can obtain a garment, which can suppress the formation of a body line that is characteristic to women to make a wearer appear masculine when a garment for covering the upper body is worn by women.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a garment 100 for covering the upper body. FIG. 1(a) shows the shape of the garment 100 viewed from the front side. FIG. 1(b) shows the shape of the garment 100 viewed from the back side.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the garment 100 for covering the upper body shown in FIG. 1 turned inside out for explaining the structure of a front body piece 101, back body piece 103, and left and right side sections 102.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the front body piece 101 shown in FIG. 2, decomposed into an outer material 101 a and an inner material 101 b.

FIG. 4 shows a comparison of the upper body garment 100 of the invention and a conventional upper body garment 100 a. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are a perspective view of the upper body garment 100 of the invention and a plan view of the upper body garment 100 turned inside out, viewed from the back side of the front body piece 101, respectively. FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d) are a perspective view of the conventional upper body garment 100 a and a plan view of the upper body garment 100 a turned inside out, viewed from the back side of the front body piece 101, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described hereinafter. The terms used herein should also be understood as being used in the meaning that is commonly used in the art, unless specifically noted otherwise. Thus, unless defined otherwise, all terminologies and scientific technical terms that are used herein have the same meaning as the general understanding of those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. In case of a contradiction, the present specification (including the definitions) takes precedence.

As used herein, “about” refers to a range of ±10% from the number that is described subsequent to “about”.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a garment, which can suppress the formation of a body line that is characteristic to women to make a wearer appear masculine when a garment for covering the upper body is worn by women. The objective was achieved by providing

a garment for covering an upper body comprising:

a front body piece; and

a back body piece;

wherein a first accommodation section is provided to at least one of left and right shoulder sections of the front body piece, and

wherein the first accommodation section is configured to accommodate a first protrusion member.

The present invention also achieved the objective by providing

a garment for covering an upper body comprising:

a front body piece;

a back body piece; and

a side section between the front body piece and the back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side;

wherein the side section has a second accommodation section, and

wherein the second accommodation section is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member.

Specifically, the garment for covering the upper body of the invention can suppress a bulge formed from the shoulder section to the chest section when worn, resulting in alleviating an impression of a body line that is characteristic to women by comprising a side section on at least one of left and right shoulder sections of the front body piece, and comprising a first accommodation section that is configured to accommodate a first protrusion member at a side section. By comprising a first accommodation section, the size around the shoulder section increases. As a result, a body line with a thicker chest that is characteristic to men can be formed.

The garment for covering the upper body of the invention also increases the size around the chest section or the waist section when worn by comprising a side section between a front body piece and a back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side, and comprising a second accommodation section that is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member at a side section. As a result, the body line with a curvature formed from the chest section to the waist section that is characteristic to women is suppressed.

Thus in one embodiment, if the garment for covering the upper body of the invention comprises a side section on at least one of left and right shoulder sections of a front body piece, and comprises a first accommodation section that is configured to accommodate a first protrusion member at a side section, other parts can have any configuration.

Thus, a garment for covering the upper body can be in any form. Examples thereof include T-shirts, no sleeve shirts, camisoles, slips, and the like. Preferred embodiments include no sleeve shirts and T-shirts, which can readily form an impression of a masculine body line when worn.

The first protrusion member of the invention is a member accommodated in a first accommodation section provided on at least one of left and right shoulder sections of a front body piece at a side section for filling in a difference in levels generated between a bulge of chest and shoulder section that is characteristic to women when worn.

The first protrusion member can have any form of shape or size, as long as the difference in levels with the shoulder section from a bulge of chest formed when worn can be filled in. Examples thereof include a generally rectangular shape, generally planar shape, generally disc shape, generally elliptical disc shape, generally cuboid shape, and generally spherical shape.

The material of the first protrusion member can be any material. Examples thereof include materials with low elasticity such as resin and nonwoven fabric and materials with high elasticity such as rubber and urethane sponge material. The first protrusion member can be a cushion member prepared by enclosing a material with a high stretch ratio such as a urethane sponge material in a fabric with a low stretch ratio (e.g., Jersey stitch, tricot, smooth, or marquisette (knitted with a Raschel machine by warp knitting)), or a material prepared by enclosing a material with a low stretch ratio such as nonwoven fabric in the fabric with a low stretch ratio described above or in a fabric with a high stretch ratio.

The first accommodation section of the invention is provided to at least one of left and right shoulder sections of a front body piece and is configured to accommodate a first protrusion member.

The shape and size of the first accommodation section can be in any form in accordance with the shape and size of a first protrusion member accommodated therein. For example, the shape of the first accommodation section can be a generally rectangular shape, generally trapezoidal shape, generally inverted trapezoidal shape, generally circular shape, generally elliptical shape, or the like. Any number of first accommodation sections can be provided. For example, a plurality of first accommodation sections can be provided at left and right and/or top and bottom.

Furthermore, a first accommodation section can be sealed while accommodating a first protrusion member therein, or have a first opening. In a preferred embodiment, a first accommodation section has a first opening. A first protrusion member can be exchanged by having an opening.

The material of a front body piece and a back body piece can be in any form. The body pieces can comprise only an outer material, or comprise both an outer material and an inner material (back lining fabric).

For example, the material used in a front body piece and a back body piece (outer material and/or inner material (back lining fabric)) is not particularly limited. Examples thereof include fabrics comprising fibers of polyester, polyurethane, cotton, nylon, silk, rayon, hemp, wool, or any combination thereof.

A fabric can be organized in any manner. For example, a fabric can be a knitted fabric or a woven fabric. A knitted fabric can be made by plain stitching, circular knitting (e.g., Jersey stitch or fraise stitch), or the like. A woven fabric can be made by plain weave, twill, satin weave, or the like.

While the stretch ratio of an outer material and inner material (back lining fabric) is not particularly limited, the stretch ratio in a preferred embodiment is in the range of about 150% to about 200%, which is the stretch ratio of a generally available fabric.

The material of an outer material and/or inner material (back lining fabric) can be the same or different for a front body piece and a back body piece.

An inner material of a front body piece can be only a back lining fabric, only a stretchable fabric with a high stretch ratio, or a fabric comprising a back lining fabric and a highly stretchable fabric. In this regard, a stretchable fabric refers to a fabric with a stretch ratio higher than about 150% to about 200%, which is the stretch ratio of generally available fabrics. In a preferred embodiment, a stretchable fabric is a fabric with a stretch ratio of about 200% to about 350% comprising polyurethane.

By providing a stretchable fabric to an inner material of a front body piece, the front body piece would be pressed along the skin when a garment for covering the upper body is worn. As a result, the bulge of a first protrusion member accommodated in a first accommodation section at a shoulder section and/or a third protrusion member accommodated in a third accommodation section at an abdominal section can be further emphasized to allow formation of a body line that is characteristic to men.

Inclusion of a stretchable fabric and a back lining fabric in an inner material alleviates pressing of the stretchable fabric onto the skin to allow improved comfort of a wearer.

As used herein, “stretch ratio of member A is X %” refers to the stretch ratio (%), which is the ratio of the total length at maximum extension (without rupture) to the original length of member A, upon pulling on the member A.

If the garment for covering the upper body of the invention comprises a side section between a front body piece and a back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side, and is configured to comprise a second accommodation section that is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member at a side section, other parts can have any configuration.

The second protrusion member of the invention is a member, which is accommodated in an accommodation section provided on a side section between a front body piece and a back body piece, and suppresses a body line with a curvature formed from the chest section to the waist section that is characteristic to women to form a masculine body line by increasing the size around the chest section and the waist section when a garment for covering the upper body is worn.

The shape and size of a second accommodation section can be of any form such as a generally rectangular shape, generally planar shape, generally disc shape, generally elliptical disc shape, generally cuboid shape, or generally spherical shape.

Any material can be used as the material of a second protrusion member. The material can be a rigid material (material with low elasticity such as resin, silicon, or nonwoven fabric) or an elastic material (material with high elasticity such as rubber or urethane sponge material). The second protrusion member can be a cushion member prepared by enclosing a urethane sponge material in a fabric with a high stretch ratio, or enclosing a nonwoven fabric or the like in a fabric with a high stretch ratio.

The shape and size of the second accommodation section can be in any form in accordance with the shape and size of a second protrusion member accommodated therein. For example, the shape of the second accommodation section can be a generally rectangular shape, generally trapezoidal shape, generally inverted trapezoidal shape, generally circular shape, generally elliptical shape, or the like. Any number of second accommodation sections can be provided. For example, a plurality of second accommodation sections can be provided at left and right and/or top and bottom.

Furthermore, a second accommodation section can be sealed while accommodating a second protrusion member therein, or have a second opening. In a preferred embodiment, a second accommodation section has a second opening. A second protrusion member can be exchanged by having an opening.

The material of a side section can be in any form. The material can comprise only an outer material, or comprise both an outer material and an inner material. The material of a side section (outer material and/or inner material) is not particularly limited. Examples thereof include fabrics comprising fibers of polyester, polyurethane, cotton, nylon, silk, rayon, hemp, wool, or any combination thereof.

The stretch ratio of a fabric used at a side section (outer material and/or inner material) is not particularly limited. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric is a stretchable fabric with a stretch ratio of about 200% to about 350%.

The materials of an outer material and inner material can be the same or different for a side section.

The garment for covering the upper body of the invention can provide at least one third accommodation section, which is configured to accommodate a third protrusion member, below a chest section (e.g., abdominal section) of a front body piece.

Any number of third accommodation sections can be provided. For example, a plurality of third accommodation sections can be provided at left and right and/or top and bottom.

A third protrusion member is a member that forms a body line with a bulge of a muscle that is characteristic to men at the abdominal section upon use by being accommodated in a third accommodation section.

The shape and size of a third protrusion member can be of any form such as a generally rectangular shape, generally planar shape, generally disc shape, generally elliptical disc shape, generally cuboid shape, or generally spherical shape. Any number of third protrusion members can be provided, such as one or a plurality. When a plurality of third protrusion members is provided, the members can be provided on top and bottom, left and right, or top and bottom and left and right.

Any material can be used as the material of a third protrusion member. For example, the material can be a rigid material (material with low elasticity such as resin, silicon, or nonwoven fabric) or an elastic material (highly elastic material such as rubber or urethane sponge material). In a preferred embodiment, the material of a third protrusion member is, but not limited to, a cushion member prepared by enclosing a urethane sponge material in a fabric with a high stretch ratio. For example, the material is prepared by enclosing a nonwoven fabric or the like in a fabric with a high stretch ratio.

The shape and size of the third accommodation section can be in any form in accordance with the shape and size of a third protrusion member accommodated therein. For example, the shape of the third accommodation section can be a generally rectangular shape, generally trapezoidal shape, generally inverted trapezoidal shape, generally circular shape, generally elliptical shape, or the like. Furthermore, a third accommodation section can be sealed while accommodating a third protrusion member therein, or have a third opening. In a preferred embodiment, a third accommodation section has a third opening. A third protrusion member can be exchanged by having an opening. An opening can be provided at any position of an accommodation section. The present invention is intended to eliminate the appearance of the body line of the chest section of women to form a body line that is characteristic to men by accommodating a protrusion member at each of a shoulder section (typically, both left and right shoulder sections), side section (typically, both left and right side sections), and a section below the chest section (abdominal section). For this reason, the garment of the invention typically does not require providing a protrusion member at the chest section and can be free of an accommodation section at the chest section.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a garment 100 for covering the upper body. FIG. 1(a) shows the shape of the garment 100 viewed from the front side. FIG. 1(b) shows the shape of the garment 100 viewed from the back side.

The garment 100 for covering the upper body is a (no sleeve) undergarment for women with gender dysphoria. The garment has a structure for suppressing a body line that is characteristic to women involving a bulge in appearance at the chest section when worn by women and forming a masculine body line.

Specifically, the garment 100 for covering the upper body comprises a front body piece 101, a back body piece 103, and a side section 102, and is formed by joining them together by stitching. However, any means for joining can be used including by adhesion. The front body piece 101 and the back body piece 103 are each comprised of the same type of fabric (outer material) with a stretch ratio of about 200%. The side section 102 is a stretchable fabric with a stretch ratio of about 250% to about 350%.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the garment 100 for covering the upper body shown in FIG. 1 turned inside out for explaining the structure of the front body piece 101, back body piece 103, and left and right side sections 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder section of the front body piece 101 has a generally elliptical disc first protrusion member 11 a on the left and right and a first accommodation section 11 for accommodating the same. The first accommodation section 11 a is provided with an opening 11 b for placing and withdrawing the first protrusion member 11 a.

Two rows of third accommodation section 13 are provided at top and bottom at the abdominal section of the front body piece 101. In the third accommodation section 13, a generally planar third protrusion member 13 a with a generally rectangular cross section extending to the left and right is accommodated. The third accommodation section 13 a is provided with an opening 13 b for placing and withdrawing the third protrusion member 13 a.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the front body piece 101 shown in FIG. 2, decomposed into an outer material 101 a and an inner material 101 b. Specifically, the front body piece 101 is comprised of the outer material 101 a and the inner material 101 b, and the inner material 101 b is comprised of a back lining fabric 111 and a stretchable fabric 112, as shown in FIG. 3. The outer material 101 a is, for example, Jersey stitch (bare Jersey stitch) or 2-way tricot comprising polyester with a high stretch ratio, and the back lining fabric 111 is Jersey stitch (cotton Jersey stitch) or cotton blend tricot comprising cotton. In contrast, the stretchable fabric 112 is a fabric or nonwoven fabric with a stretch ratio of about 300% comprising polyurethane.

The first accommodation section 11 and the third accommodation section 13 are each formed by joining together the back lining fabric 111 and the stretchable fabric 112. The inner material 101 b (back lining fabric 111 and the stretchable fabric 112) is provided between the shoulder section and the abdominal section of the front body piece 101 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The inner material can be provided from the shoulder section to below the abdominal section.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, one first accommodation section 11 in a shape that extends from left to right is provided, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, one each on the left and right, or a plurality can be provided. Alternatively, a plurality can be provided on the top and bottom.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, two third accommodation sections 13 are provided on the top and bottom at the abdominal section, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a third accommodation section can be provided on each of top, bottom, left, and right, or three or more rows can be provided on top and bottom and left and right. The location where the third accommodation section is provided can include locations other than the abdominal section, as long as it is below the chest section.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side section 102 is provided between the front body piece 101 and the back body section 103 on both left and right sides. At the side section 102, one second accommodation section 12 is provided at a position adjacent to the abdominal section, and a second protrusion member 12 a with a generally rectangular cross section is accommodated in the second accommodation section 12. The second accommodation section 12 is provided with an opening 12 b for placing and withdrawing the second protrusion member 12 a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, one second accommodation section 12 is provided at a position adjacent to the abdominal section, but any number can be provided at any position. For example, two second accommodation sections 12 can be provided on the top and bottom at positions adjacent to the abdominal section and the lower abdominal section, or one large second accommodation section can be provided at a position adjacent to the abdominal section and lower abdominal section, and one or more second protrusion members can be provided therein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the garment 100 for covering the upper body of the invention increases the size around the shoulder section by providing the first accommodation section 11 for accommodating a generally elliptical disc first protrusion member 11 a at the shoulder section of the front body piece 101. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of a body line with a bulge from the shoulder section to the chest section that is characteristic to women when worn. Since the size around the shoulder section increases, a body line with a thick shoulder that is characteristic to men can be formed (see, for example, part R in FIG. 4).

Since the opening 11 b is provided to the first accommodation section 11, the first protrusion member can be placed and withdrawn, so that a first protrusion member can be exchanged with a desired first protrusion member 11 a.

The garment 100 for covering the upper body of the invention increases the size around the armpit (especially the abdominal section) by providing the second accommodation section 12 for accommodating the second protrusion member 12 a at the side section 102. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of a body line with a curvature from the chest section to the abdominal section that is characteristic to women when worn. Since the opening 12 b is provided to the second accommodation section 11, the second protrusion member 12 a can be placed and withdrawn, so that a second protrusion member can be exchanged with a desired second protrusion member 12 a (see, for example, section B in FIG. 4).

The garment 100 for covering the upper body of the invention forms a bulge at a section below the chest section when worn by providing the third accommodation section 13 for accommodating the third protrusion member 13 a at the section below the chest section (e.g., abdominal section) of the front body piece 101. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of a body line with a bulge from the waist section to the chest section that is characteristic to women. Since the size around the section below the chest section increases, a body line with muscles that is characteristic to men can be mimicked. Since the opening 13 b is provided to the third accommodation section 13, the third protrusion member 13 b can be placed and withdrawn, so that a third protrusion member can be exchanged with a desired third protrusion member 13 a.

Furthermore, the front body piece 101 of the garment 100 for covering the upper body of the invention is pressed along the skin when worn from the front body piece 101 having the inner material 101 b and the inner material 101 b comprising a stretchable fabric comprising polyurethane with a stretch ratio of about 250% to about 350%. As a result, it is possible to more effectively express a bulge formed by the first protrusion member 11 a provided at the shoulder section or the third protrusion member 13 a provided at a section below the chest section. Moreover, the back lining fabric 111 is provided to the inner material 101 b, so that pressing of the stretchable fabric 112 onto the skin is alleviated to allow improved comfort of a wearer.

As disclosed above, the present invention is exemplified by the use of its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention should not be interpreted to be limited to such embodiments. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be interpreted based solely on the claims. It is understood that an equivalent scope can be practiced by those skilled in the art based on the descriptions of the present invention and common general knowledge from the specific descriptions in the preferred embodiments of the invention. It is also understood that any references cited herein should be incorporated herein by reference in the same manner as the contents are specifically described herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the field of garments for covering the upper body, the present invention is useful as an invention that can provide a garment, which can suppress the formation of a body line that is characteristic to women when worn by a woman to achieve a masculine appearance.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   11 First accommodation section -   11 a First protrusion member -   12 Second accommodation section -   12 a Second protrusion member -   13 Third accommodation section -   13 a Third protrusion member -   100 Garment for covering the upper body -   101 Front body piece -   102 Side section -   103 Back body piece 

1. A garment for covering an upper body comprising: a front body piece; and a back body piece; wherein a first accommodation section is provided to at least one of left and right shoulder sections of the front body piece, and wherein the first accommodation section is configured to accommodate a first protrusion member.
 2. A garment for covering an upper body comprising: a front body piece; a back body piece; and a side section between the front body piece and the back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side; wherein the side section has a second accommodation section, and wherein the second accommodation section is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member.
 3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a side section between the front body piece and the back body piece, at least on either a left side or a right side; wherein the side section has a second accommodation section, and wherein the second accommodation section is configured to accommodate a second protrusion member.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least one third accommodation section is provided below a chest section of the front body piece, and the third accommodation section is configured to accommodate a third protrusion member.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front body piece comprises an outer material and an inner material, and the inner material comprises a stretchable fabric. 